Our spy has been going out and about for many years, reviewing restaurants, pubs and cafes around Derbyshire. As many of you like to stay in but eat restaurant-quality food, Secret Service decided to see if takeaway food from this popular Hilton chippy was up to scratch.

What is it?

Hilton Fish Bar.

Where is it?

Witham Close, Hilton.

Do they deliver?

No.

How did you place your order and how long did it take?

Hilton Fish Bar in Witham Close, Hilton (Image: Google Maps)

We walked in and joined a queue of eight people. It was a Thursday evening at 6.30pm. It took 13 minutes to get to the front of the queue. There’s a well-stocked drinks cabinet in the waiting area but no TV or newspapers. But you can perch your bum on a window ledge. While we waited, we watched as the two young chaps behind the counter asked customers if they wanted salt and vinegar and if they were OK with certain items being put together. They even asked one woman if she wanted to choose her own mini fish from the dozen sitting in the warmer. They also worked fast. But your spy did notice that the floor and work surfaces behind the counter were not very clean.

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Takeaways reviewed by Secret Service

What did you order?

We were feeding four and went for a large and small portion of chips, a large haddock, two fish cakes, a piece of southern fried chicken and a large battered sausage.

Haddock and chips with mushy peas from Hilton Fish Bar

We also asked for a small portion of mushy peas and a small pot of curry sauce. You can only pay by cash but there’s a cash point in the wall a few shops down the precinct.

How much did it cost?

Large chips: £2.70

Small chips: £1.70

Large fish: £4.50

Large battered sausage: £1.20

Two fish cakes: £2.20

1 piece of chicken: £1.50

Two small sauces: £1.80

Total: £15.60

How good was the food?

The chips were not perfect. Many of them were mushed up and damaged and would have also benefited from another few minutes in the fryer. But the portions were generous. The fish, a mighty piece of haddock, was large and well cooked with a crispy batter coating.

Battered sausage and chips

There were no complaints about the sausage, fish cakes or sauces. But while the piece of chicken looked appetising there was not much meat on it and it was largely bone. Next time my guest said he would need to order two pieces.

Your spy's companion found the chicken disappointing

Was it hot?

The food was wrapped in several pieces of paper then pushed snugly inside brown paper bags. It was still very warm when we got it home.

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